Short summary

This randomised trial investigate the safety and efficacy of oral antibiotic administration compared to intravenous antibiotic administration in patients referred to the emergency department with suspected infection.

Rationale

Patients acutely admitted to the hospital with infection will often be treated with intravenous antibiotics. Some of the challenges associated with the use of intravenous antibiotics are the risks of developing complications to intravenous catheters, i.e., bleeding and infections, but more importantly that the intravenous treatment in most cases requires the patient to stay in the hospital. The accompanying hospital admissions not only entail economic consequences, but also risks of hospital acquired infections and may be associated with negative physical and psychological consequences, particularly among older patients. Several studies report oral antibiotic regimens to be as effective as intravenous antibiotic regimens but with significantly reduced days of admission The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of oral antibiotic administration compared to intravenous antibiotic administration in patients referred to the emergency department with suspected or diagnosed bacterial lower respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection and cellulitis.

Description of the cohort

Patients referred to the emergency departments in Esbjerg, Kolding, Aabenraa, Herlev and Hvidovre with suspected or diagnosed bacterial lower respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection and cellulitis will be invited to participate in the randomized trial.

Data and biological material

Data from medical record and questionnaire on quality of life.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Departments of Infectious diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre

• Thomas Benfield

Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet

• Henning Bundgaard

Emergency Department, University Hospital of Southern Denmark - Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital

• Peter Biesenbach

Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Southern Denmark - Hospital Lillebælt

• Lone Wulff Madsen
• Sebastian Von Huth

Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Southern Denmark - Esbjerg and Grindsted Hospital

• Jacob Søholm

Department of Emergency Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte

• Kasper Karmark Iversen